Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has regretted cutting a cake decorated like the national tricolour at a function at the Raj Bhawan here during the Republic Day celebrations.

Gogoi's reaction came in the wake of reports published in a section of the media and comments from certain quarters that in cutting such a cake he had shown disrespect to the national flag.

An official release from the CM's office quoting Gogoi said, "The question of respect or dishonour to the national flag does not arise. The very act was unintentional and not to show any kind of disrespect or dishonour to the national flag."

Local TV channels had aired a few days after Republic Day visuals of Gogoi and governor J B Patnaik cutting a cake decorated like the national flag in the presence of senior bureaucrats, police and army officials.